Alfaro Manzano v. Garland

FOR PUBLICATION

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

GERSON EDUARDO ALFARO Nos. 22-704

MANZANO, 22-1521

Agency No. Petitioner,

A205-479-889

v.

OPINION

MERRICK B. GARLAND, Attorney General,

Respondent.

On Petition for Review of an Order of the Board of Immigration Appeals

Argued and Submitted April 2, 2024 Portland, Oregon

Filed June 25, 2024

Before: John B. Owens and Michelle T. Friedland, Circuit Judges, and William Horsley Orrick, District Judge.*

Opinion by Judge Orrick

* The Honorable William Horsley Orrick, United States District Judge for the Northern District of California, sitting by designation. SUMMARY**

Immigration

Granting Gerson Eduardo Alfaro Manzano’s petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ decision, and remanding, the panel held that the record compelled the conclusion that Alfaro Manzano’s Jehovah’s Witness faith would be “one central reason” for his persecution in El Salvador. An immigration judge granted withholding of removal but denied asylum, finding that Alfaro Manzano’s religion would be “a reason” for his…